On a night of elation for the Albanese Labor government, as it won a second term in office and secured an improved majority, there were words of jubilation.
For the Coalition, experiencing a pulverising defeat, the tone was solemn.
In between was everything from squawking chicken metaphors to scalding words attacking the Coalition for having run the “worst campaign in living memory” and discussions of the ownership of the Maga chant.
Let’s take a look back at the quotes that stood out – triumphant and humbled – this evening.
‘One of the great political victories since federation’ - Jim Chalmers
Someone who was barely able to contain their joy from quite early on in the evening was the treasurer, Jim Chalmers. He described the party’s leader, Anthony Albanese, as having “every right to feel emotional about it”.
He has pulled off one of the great political victories since federation. That is what we are seeing tonight.
‘The chicken ain’t squawking’ – Bill Shorten
On the penultimate day of the campaign, Liberal frontbencher Jane Hume said it was too early to discuss replacing Peter Dutton as “you do not read the entrails until you have gutted the chicken”. Hume repeated that proverb on Saturday evening, telling Channel Seven’s panel they were “already reading the entrails before the chicken is gutted” by ignoring postal vote results, to which former the Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten interjected:
The chicken ain’t squawking. The chicken is on the block. It’s drumsticks and legs.
‘It is not our night' – Peter Dutton
Opposition leader Peter Dutton, addressing Liberal crowds in Brisbane, conceded the Coalition’s defeat as well as his own in the seat of Dickson to Ali France. He said:
It is not our night, as I point out, and there are good members and candidates who have lost their seats, their ambition, and I am sorry for that.
‘New hope, new confidence and new determination' – Anthony Albanese
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, addressed the Labor faithful at the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club, telling them:
From tomorrow, back at work. Maybe not everyone here. And that is probably for the best. We take up this task, with new hope, new confidence and new determination.
‘Donald Trump doesn’t own those four words’ – Jacinta Nampijinpa Price
Liberal National party senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price attracted controversy after saying “make Australia great again” during the campaign, strongly evoking Donald Trump’s Maga chant. Speaking to the ABC, Price refused to take responsibility for playing any part in the Coalition’s loss, and accused ABC host Sarah Ferguson of slinging mud for bringing up the chant, as well as a photo uncovered of Price wearing a Maga hat.
In terms of wanting this country to be great, Donald Trump doesn’t own those four words. Right? Because the media can go through your personal Facebook photos and find a picture that was taken, in jest, at Christmas time, and then smear you with it, that is the problem. That is the issue.
‘We must resist that path’ – James McGrath
As the Coalition looks to the future after this loss, Liberal senator James McGrath said it would be “dangerous” for the Coalition to hold similar positions to the Trump administration.
It would be dangerous for my party, and I speak as a Ronald Reagan Republican and a George Bush Republican, speaking to Donald Trump’s positions. We are a free-trade party and pro-Ukraine and we should continue to be centre-right.
We must resist that path, focus on where middle Australia is.
‘We have kept Dutton out’ – Adam Bandt
Greens leader Adam Bandt claimed credit for Labor beating Peter Dutton in Dickson:
One thing is clear, we have kept Dutton out. We said very clearly we do not want Trump-style politics coming to Australia, and Peter Dutton lost his seat.
‘Worst campaign in living memory’ – Bill Shorten
Former Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten was asked by Channel Seven about how he’s feeling, knowing how it feels to lose after 2019, “having a little more freedom to say what he thinks” retiring from politics at the end of this term:
The Coalition has run without a doubt the worst campaign in living memory. I wouldn’t want to be part of that postmortem.”
